What to Write in a Christmas Card for Colleagues

Katie Leamon lino cut Santa's Workshop Christmas card

Writing Christmas cards for colleagues is its own particular skill. Too formal and it reads like an email; too familiar and it can feel slightly awkward the next time you're in a meeting together. The sweet spot is warm, brief and genuine - a card that says you've noticed them and you're glad they're on the team.

Here are Christmas wishes for colleagues, whoever you're writing to.

Short and Simple

For a big team or a card going round the whole office, a short line is all you need.

  • "Wishing you a very merry Christmas and a restful break."
  • "Happy Christmas - enjoy a well-earned rest."
  • "Merry Christmas, and all the best for the new year."
  • "Season's greetings - see you in the new year."

For a Colleague You Work With Closely

  • "Thank you for making this year so much easier - and so much more fun. Have a wonderful Christmas."
  • "I couldn't have asked for a better person to share a desk (and a lot of coffee) with this year. Merry Christmas!"
  • "Wishing you a brilliant Christmas. Thanks for always being the calm one when things got busy."

For Your Team, From a Manager

A card from a manager carries a little more weight. One specific line about the year is worth more than any amount of corporate cheer.

  • "Thank you for everything you've brought to the team this year. Wishing you a very happy Christmas and a proper rest."
  • "It's been a big year, and I'm genuinely proud of what we've achieved together. Merry Christmas."
  • "Thank you for your hard work, your patience and your good humour. Enjoy every minute of the break."

For Your Manager

  • "Thank you for your support and guidance this year. Wishing you a very merry Christmas."
  • "Merry Christmas - and thank you for being such a great person to work for."

For a Work Friend

  • "Merry Christmas to my favourite part of the working week."
  • "Here's to fewer meetings and more mince pies. Happy Christmas!"
  • "Thanks for keeping me sane this year. Have the best Christmas."

For the Whole Office Card

When a single card is going round for one person - a team leader, a retiring colleague, the receptionist who keeps everything running - keep your line short so there's room for everyone.

  • "Merry Christmas, and thank you for everything!"
  • "Have a wonderful Christmas - you deserve it."
  • "Happy Christmas from all of us in [team]."

For Someone Who's Had a Difficult Year

Not everyone arrives at Christmas feeling festive. A gentle, simple message is kinder than forced cheer.

  • "Thinking of you this Christmas, and wishing you a peaceful break."
  • "Wishing you a restful Christmas and a gentler year ahead."

A Few Things Worth Knowing

Keep it inclusive. If you're not sure whether a colleague celebrates Christmas, "Season's greetings" or "Wishing you a wonderful holiday season" works for everyone.

Be specific where you can. A line about a project you finished together, or something they did that made a difference, turns a polite card into one that gets kept.

Handwrite it. In an office full of emails, a handwritten card stands out more than ever.

Get them out before the break. Cards need to land on desks before people finish for Christmas, which usually means the second week of December.

Sending cards to clients as well? See our guide to business Christmas cards, and for friends and family, our guide to what to write in a Christmas card.

Katie Leamon red arch quilt motif Christmas card - Wishing You A Very Merry Christmas

The Most Important Thing

A Christmas card to a colleague doesn't need to be clever. It needs to sound like you, and to say - however briefly - that you're glad you work together. A few warm, specific words on a beautiful card will mean more than anything said in passing at the office party.

Writing cards for the whole team? Our boxed Christmas cards come in sets of eight, and our packs of six make it easy to cover a long list - designed in our North London studio, printed on sustainably sourced card and completely plastic-free. Free UK delivery on card orders over £20.

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